Bolts of lightning flashed across the horizon, their yellow light revealing a skinny boy perched on a jagged boulder.
Long scars and whip marks marred his bare body, evidence of relentless torture.
Though his body shivered violently in the cold downpour, he refused to move, sitting there frozen in place.
Chains clamped around his bony ankles, and deadly spikes circled the boulder beneath him.
It's cold, he thought, desperation taking hold. So cold… someone… anyone… get me out of here!
Yet all he could do was hug his arms around his meatless chest. His stiff fingers brought no warmth, and every raindrop felt like an icy needle drilling into his skin, compounding his misery.
His vision blurred under the relentless rainfall. Soon, exhaustion won.
He laid back against the boulder's razor edges; each fresh cut grounding him, keeping him from sinking into numbness.
What's the point? A ragged sigh tore through his bruised throat. Every time I bend my head, I end up here.
Gagging on rainwater that slipped into his mouth, he coughed hard. Slamming his fist against his chest, he slumped, energy depleted.
Am I not a person? Am I some different breed? Aren't I human too?
Frustration churned, and he trembled violently. He flung his arm aside, lifting his head to glare at the storm, teeth bared.
The chains scraped his bony ankles, rattling like mocking laughter.
"Bastards!" he yelled, voice wild. "When I find you, I'll do worse!" Fresh blood seeped through the pinching metal, but he didn't care; rage swallowed everything.
Suddenly, he sensed a shift in the air; a noise from behind.
Twisting around, he spotted a snake slithering up the rock, tongue flicking hungrily.
Panic clamped his small gut, and although he tried, he failed to scoot away.
"Go!" he shouted, fury melting into terror. "GO AWAY!" Despite his cries, the snake advanced with unblinking eyes.
Its tongue hissed as it suddenly struck, jaws wide.
He lurched aside, narrowly dodging the fangs, his hands clamping around the slick, coiling body.
"S-stop moving!" he pleaded, heart pounding. The snake squirmed and hissed, its scales too slippery for any real grip.
Why me?
His gaze darted around in desperation for a weapon, but there was nothing.
Driven by panic, he hefted the snake, trying to smash it against the boulder, yet its heavy weight—and his own weakness—dragged him down.
Rain hammered his eyes, blurring his vision.
Mind blank, he snarled, "AH!"
With no choice left, he shifted his grip, and his brittle teeth sank into the snake's body.
Hot, bitter fluid trickled into his mouth as the snake convulsed. He bit harder, feeling flesh tear. Then the snake went limp.
Panting hard, he flung the carcass off the boulder.
I did it! I saved myself!
A flicker of triumph stirred in his chest.
No one came, but I'm still alive!
His eyes lit with sudden excitement, staring at the steely gray sky. Rain washed blood and scales from his face. A small smile cracked his lips.
Shutting his eyes, he stuck his tongue out, letting the rain flow over it, tasting the tang of survival.
I belong to no one! I am my own! I am… free.